Teen Cheerleader Rachel Canning Who Sued Parents Returns Home

New Jersey student Rachel Canning attends a hearing in her lawsuit against her parents Sean and Elizabeth Canning, in Morristown March 4, 2014. Canning who says her parents abandoned her when she turned 18 lost a first round on Tuesday in the lawsuit she filed against them for school costs and living expenses, a case that could set a precedent for a family's obligation to support a child who has left home. A family court judge denied a request by Canning of Lincoln Park, New Jersey, to have her parents temporarily resume paying her tuition and living expenses. He set another hearing date for next month. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri
Reuters

Rachel Canning, the teenage cheerleader who sued her parents for child support, has returned to their house in New Jersey, U.S.

The 18-year-old high school student sued her parents Sean and Elizabeth Canning, claiming that they kicked her out of the house and refused to pay her private school fees. She had been living with her best friend, whose father, wealthy attorney John Inglesino, reportedly encouraged her to sue her parents.

She was forcing her parents to pay the balance of her tuition fee at Morris Catholic High School, pay child support in the amount of USD650 per week, medical and related bills, college expenses, and her legal fees.

Her school’s annual fee is USD12,700, and Rachel still owes it USD5306.

According to her parents, they didn’t kick their daughter out. Rachel apparently moved out on October 30, two days before she turned 18, because she refused to obey their rules.

The judge on her case, Family Division Judge Peter Bogaard, ruled that in favour of her parents, saying they didn’t have to pay her child support, her school fees, and her legal bills.

On Wednesday, it appears that parents and daughter have finally reconciled. Angelo Sarno, the Cannings’ attorney, announced that Rachel have returned home.

“There is a long road ahead. The healing needs to begin,” he said at a press conference outside his office. Rachel and her parents were not present.

He refused to reveal what prompted the reconciliation, just asking reporters to “respect it. Let’s not figure out what the motivation was.”

The family’s drama still isn’t over yet, though.

Rachel’s lawsuit is still pending, and her homecoming “was not contingent on any financial or other considerations.”